Quick disconnect-electrical



June 27', 1967 v J. E. ACORD 3,328,743

QUI CK DISCONNECT-ELECTRICAL Filed June 22, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 6 J. E. ACORD QUICK DISCONNECT-ELECTRICAL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 22, 1964 United States Patent m 3,328,743 QUICK DISCONNECT-ELECTRICAL Jerry E. Acord, Artesia, Calif, assignor to Northrop Corporation, Beverly Hills, Califi, a corporation of California Filed June 22, 1964, Ser. No. 376,824 Claims. (Cl. 33945) This invention pertains to electrical connectors and more particularly to quick disconnect electrical connectors including a pair of major portions embodying means normally functioning to retain the major portions in firm mating relation and providing an electrical flow path therethrough and subsequently allowing separation thereof and discontinuance of the flow path therethrough upon application of certain predetermined forces.

Electrical connectors embodying quick disconnect features are extensively utilized in installations where a quick and positive break of an electrical circuit is required. The present connector is illustrated as being utilized to provide a plurailty of electrical circuits between a missile and an electrical power source of an airplane (not shown) by which the connector is carried aloft. However, the present connector has many other applications and may be utilized in any situation in which the continuity of an electrical current is necessary and subsequently the abrupt discontinuance thereof is required.

An object of the present invention is to provide a quick disconnect electrical connector the major components of which normally separate in response to opposing forces acting thereon in an axial direction. Another object is to provide a quick disconnect electrical connector comprising a pair of major components, the components having assembled and disassembled relations in which they have a firm mating and a separated relation, respectively, and when separated can be urged into their assembled relation either by an angular or a straight line movement.

Another object is to provide a quick disconnect electrical connector having a minimum number of working parts.

Another object is to provide a quick disconnect electrical connector which because of its simplicity is especially free of malfunctioning tendencies.

Although the characteristic features of the present invention are particularly pointed out in the appended claims, the invention itself, also the manner in which it may be carried out, will be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an aircraft nacelle adapted to support a plurality of bombs and utilizing the quick disconnect electrical connector as disclosed herein.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the bomb of FIGURE 1 viewed along the line 22 of the latter figure.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of the connector of FIGURE 2 as viewed along the line 33 of the latter figure.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the connector of FIGURES 2 and 3 showing the assembled relationship of certain components thereof.

FIGURE 5 is an exploded view of the electrical connector of FIGURES 2 and 3.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGURE 1, here a bomb 11 is shown attached to a nacelle 12 of an aircraft (not shown). An electrical connector 14 of the type disclosed herein is utilized to transmit electrical signals to the bomb 11 and subsequently functions to allow separation of all electrical connections thereto at such time as the bomb is dispensed from the nacelle 12.

3,328,743 Patented June 27, 1967 The embodiment of the electrical connector 14 includes two major portions 16 and 17, the portions 16 and 17-as best seen in FIGURES 2 and 3are hereinafter referred to as the male and female end portions of the connector 14. Each of the portions 16 and 17 include cylindrical sleeve-like members 18 and 19, respectively. Inserts 21 and 22, constructed of rubber or other resilient-like material, are contained in the members 18 and 19, respectively. Miniature receptacles 23 are moulded in the insert 22 and pin means 24 are moulded in the insert 21, the latter being received in respective receptacles at such time as the connector 14 is assembled. The inserts 21 and 22 are of conventional construction, the receptacles 23 and pin means 24 function in a normal manner to provide electrical flow paths through the connector 14. In this respect the inserts 21 and 22 in their assembled relation function to provide a seal precluding the possibility of moisture contacting and shorting the flow paths referred to above.

The member 19 includes an external flange portion 26 at approximately the mid-portion thereof when considered in a longitudinal direction whereby the member 19 may be secured to the outer Wall of the bomb 11. The lower end of the member 19 is threaded providing means for receiving an apertured cap (not shown), its (member 19) upper end is counterbored thereby providing an annular space therebetween and the upper end of the insert 22. Three equally spaced pins 31 are provided on the member 19 and project radially outward therefrom at 10- cations above the flange- 26, the pins 31 functioning in a manner that will become obvious as the disclosure progresses.

The member 18when considered longitudinally-carries an externally formed annular flange 27 at approximately the midpoint thereof. The portion of the member 18 above the flange 27 (FIGURE 3) is externally threaded as indicated by the numeral 28. In the assembled relation of the members 18 and 19, the flange 27 bottoms on the upper end of the member 19 or approximately so. In this respect a gasket 29 is provided between the members 18 and 19. A plurality of longitudinally extending projections 32 (FIGURE 5) are provided on the member 18 and project externally from the outer surface thereof below the flange 27, a plurality of corresponding grooves (not shown) are provided in the upper end of the member,1'9. The projections 32 and corresponding. grooves (-not shown) function in a conventional manner to insure the proper angular relationship between the pins 24 and receptacles 23 at such time as components comprising the connector 14 are assembled.

A band-like member 33, in its assembled relation, has a surrounding relation with respect to the member 19. The member 33 carries an internally extending flange 34 at its upper end as viewed in FIGURE 3. Three equally spaced slots 36, extending longitudinally throughout the extent of the member 33 as best seen in FIGURE 5, are provided internally thereof. Extending between each of the slots 36 is a thread-like groove 37, the grooves cooperating with the pins 31 to provide a camming action during assembly of the connector 14 and functions to urge the portion 16 and 17 into firm contacting relation. The portion of the grooves 37, adjacent the right side edge of the slots 36 as viewed in FIGURE 4, is inclined downwardly as indicated by the numeral 48. An internally recessed annular groove 38 is also provided in the member 33 immediately adjacent and below the flange 34. i

A spring washer 39 is positioned in the groove 38 and functions in a manner explained during the description of the assembly of the components comprising the connector 1i The washer 39 has three notches 41 provided in the outer periphery thereof, the spring being angularly positioned in the groove 38 so that the notches 41 coincide with the grooves 36.

A locking member 42 mates with the band-like member 33. The upper portion of the member 42 includes an annular portion having three finger members '43 extending longitudinally therefrom, the finger members being equally spaced about the annular portion. The members 43 are of a size and shape allowing them to be slideably received in the slots 36, their thickness is such that their inner surfaces have a flush relation with the innermost surface of the member 33 when the two are in their assembled relation. A semicircular groove 45 is provided in the right edge of each of the finger members 43 as viewed in FIGURE 4. These grooves (grooves 45) are located at the outer end of the finger members and function in a manner presently explained.

Other components, completing the portion 16 as assembled include a wire wound compression spring 44 and a ring nut 46, the latter has an outwardly extending annular flange 47 at its upper end. Internal threads 28', adapted to engage the threads 28, are provided on the member 46.

The various components comprising the connector 14 having been described in detail their relation as assembled will now be described, also the manner in which they cooperate before and during the separation of the connector 14.

In assembling the connector 14, the spring 39 is first positioned in the groove 38 and oriented so that the notches 41 coincide with the slots 36. The finger members 43 of the member 42 are then inserted in the slots 36 and urged therein until the lower surface of the annular portion of the member 42 bottoms on the member 33, this position is hereinafter referred to as the bottomed position of the member 42. As assembled the member 33 and the end portion of each finger member 43 has a special relation with respect to the grooves 37. As viewed in FIG- URE 4, the left-hand end edge portion of the finger member 43 provides a continuation of the groove 37 while the right-hand end edge portion, although slightly rounded, as i indicated by the numeral 35, extends below the adjacent grooves 37. Therefore the right-hand side edge of the finger members 43 efiectively closes the grooves 37 and blocks travel of the pins 31 therein. Also it is pointed out that the grooves 37, immediately adjacent the right side of the finger member 43, is inclined downwardly. It is in the above mentioned inclined portion of the grooves, indicated by the numeral 48 (FIGURE 4), that the pin members 31 come to rest at such time as the portions 16 and 17 are assembled to provide the connector 14. The position of the finger members as shown in FIGURE 4 is referred to as their extended position, the extended position of the finger members corresponding to the bottomed position of the member 42.

The components 33, 39 and 42, assembled as described above, are now positioned in surrounding relation with respect to the sleeve member 18. The spring 44 is positioned in the annular space between the members 42 and 46. The relation of the members 33, 42 and 44 is maintained and secured to the member 18 by the ring nut 46 which is positioned substantially as shown in FIGURE 3 with the threads 28', engaging the threads 28 on the member 18. It will now be apparent that the member 42 may be raised, within limits allowed by the spring 44, with respect to the member 33, and this position of the member 42 is referred to as its spaced position. At such time as the member 42 is in its spaced position the finger members 43 are caused to assume a new position in which their right edges (FIGURE 4) no longer block the travel of the pins 31, this position, corresponding to the spaced position of the member 42, is hereafter referred to as their retracted position.

The male and female portions 16 and 17 are now positioned in spaced axial alignment; during this operation the relative angular relation of the pins 24, with respect to the receptacles 23, is insured by the projections 32 being received in the aforementioned grooves (not shown). Subsequently, the portions 16 and 17 are brought into firm contacting relation either by rotational movement of the members 33 and 42 or by application of opposing forces applied in an axial direction.

If sufficient space surrounds a specific installation; that is-space allowing extensive hand operations to be carried outrotational movement taking advantage of the grooves 37 is utilized to effect the above mentioned firm contacting relation of the portions 16 and 17. During this operation it will be apparent that the left side of the end portions of the finger members 43 function to direct the pins 31 into the grooves 37, the pins finally coming to rest in respective portions 48 of the grooves. Also the grooves 45 will embrace the pins 31 as shown in FIGURE 4, the grooves 45 and inclined portions 48 of the track means cooperating to provide a positive seat for the pins 31.

If sufiicient space is not available to elfect the above described rotational operation, the connector 14 embodies means requiring only a straight line force applied in an axial direction to effect its assembly. To assemble the portions 16 and 17 by utilizing an axial force only an indicating mark is provided on the end of the member 33 indicated by the numeral 40. With the members 33, 42 and 46 assembled on the member 18, these members are rotated with respect to the member 18 until the indicating mark is located directly opposite a corresponding mark on or a part of the member 18, for example-the largest of the projections 32. This operation insures, with the projections 32 mating with the aforementioned grooves (not shown) in the member 15?, that the pins 31 will contact the finger members 43 directly below the rounded portion 35. After performing the operation just described, it will be apparent the aforementioned firm contacting relation can now be effected by merely applying an axial force to the portions 16 and 17, the portion 17 being restrained due to the fact it is attached to fixed structure. The aforementioned force needs only to be applied to the portion 16. Under these conditions the finger members 43 will be urged upwardly compressing the spring 44. The pins 31 will be directed into the inclined portion 48 of the grooves 37, subsequently the spring 44 functions to return the finger members 43 to their extended positions in which the member 42 is bottomed on the member 33 and the pins 31 are seated in the portions 48 of the grooves 37 and embraced by the grooves 45 as through they were positioned there by rotational movement as previously described.

For purposes of illustration it is now assumed that the connector 14 is mounted in its assembled relation on the bomb 11 substantially as shown in FIGURE 1. As

, mounted, a multiple cable 50, containing a plurality of Wires the ends of which are individually attached to respective pins 24 of the connector 14, passes up through the nacelle 12 to the power source of the aforementioned aircraft (not shown). One end of a pair of lanyard cords 4949 are attached to the ring portion of the locking member 42 and the other ends to fixed structurefor example, the lower wall of the nacelle 12.

The bomb 11 is retained in position on the nacelle 12 by a device similar to that shown in our copending application entitled Attach and Ejection Mechanism, filed Apr. 27, 1964, and now Patent No. 3,242,808.

At such time as the bomb 11 is released (dropped) from the nacelle 12 the force of gravity initiates downward movement of the bomb 11. This movement is imparted to the connector 14 with the exception of the member 42, downward movement of the latter member being arrested by lanyards 4949. Consequently relative axial movement of the majority of components of the connector 14 with respect to the locking member 42 occurs simultaneously. In other words, with initial axial movement of the band-like member 33 occurs, the pins 31 are released from the grooves 37 and the continuity of electrical circuits transmitted via the cable 50 are interrupted.

During the separation operation described above, the pins 24 will be pulled from their respective receptacles 23 and electrical signals will no longer be transmitted to the bomb 11. The apertures 51 in the member 33 provide visual observation as to the location of the pins 31 and therefore provide assurance that components comprising the connector 14 have assumed their proper relationship when assembled.

While in order to comply with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An electrical quick disconnect connector comprising:

(a) first and second members of cylindrical configuration adapted to be assembled in firm relation providing at least one path for the flow of electricity therethrough;

(b) said first member having an annular shoulder extending therefrom and said second member a plurality of pin means projecting from the outer surfaces thereof;

(c) sleeve means defining a plurality of helical-like grooves having upper and lower edges and slot means interrupting said grooves;

(d) locking means including an annular portion having finger means extending therefrom;

(e) helical wound spring means;

(f) said locking and sleeve means being assembled with said finger means received in said slots;

(g) said sleeve and locking means being assembled on said first and second members with said pin means received in said grooves and said spring means positioned between said locking means and said annular shoulder; I

(h) the relation of said grooves in said sleeve means being such that rotation thereof in one direction with respect to said first and second member results A in said firm relation of said first and second members;

(i) and said spring means functioning to permit said finger means to be moved from extended to retracted 5 positions in which further movement of said pin means in said groove is blocked and allowed, respectively, and further allows separation of said first and second members at such times as said finger means is moved to said retracted positions.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1:

(a) in which said grooves include major and minor portions, said minor portions sloping oppositely with respect tosaid major portions and 'being located adjacent said finger means in the assembled relation of sleeve and locking means on said first and second members and with the latter members drawn into said firm relation.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2:

(a) in which said finger means are elongated extending axially of said annular portion and being rectangular in cross-section and having side and end edges;

(b) and each of said end edges including at least two distinct portions, one of said portions constituting an extension of the upper edge of said grooves at such time as said sleeve and locking means are assembled and said finger means are in said extended positions.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3:

(a) in which the other of said distinct portions has a rounded configuration whereby said pin means may be urged into said minor portions of said grooves upon the application of opposing linear axial forces applied to said first and second members.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4:

(a) in which said sleeve means carries an identifying mark enabling said finger means to be positioned directly above the other of said distinct portions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner.

PATRICK A. CLIFFORD, Examiner. 

1. AN ELECTRICAL QUICK DISCONNECT CONNECTOR COMPRISING: (A) FIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS OF CYLINDRICAL CONFIGURATION ADAPTED TO BE ASSEMBLED IN FIRM RELATION PROVIDING AT LEAST ONE PATH FOR THE FLOW OF ELECTRICITY THERETHROUGH; (B) SAID FIRST MEMBER HAVING AN ANNULAR SHOULDER EXTENDING THEREFROM AND SAID SECOND MEMBER A PLURALITY OF PIN MEANS PROJECTING FROM THE OUTER SURFACES THEREOF; (C) SLEEVE MEANS DEFINING A PLURALITY OF HELICAL-LIKE GROOVES HAVING UPPER AND LOWER EDGES AND SLOT MEANS INTERRUPTING SAID GROOVES; (D) LOCKING MEANS INCLUDING AN ANNULAR PORTION HAVING FINGER MEANS EXTENDING THEREFROM; (E) HELICAL WOUND SPRING MEANS; (F) SAID LOCKING AND SLEEVE MEANS BEING ASSEMBLED WITH SAID FINGER MEANS RECEIVED IN SAID SLOTS; (G) SAID SLEEVE AND LOCKING MEANS BEING ASSEMBLED ON SAID FIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS WITH SAID PIN MEANS RECEIVED IN SAID GROOVES AND SAID SPRING MEANS POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID LOCKING MEANS AND SAID ANNULAR SHOULDER; (H) THE RELATION OF SAID GROOVES IN SAID SLEEVE MEANS BEING SUCH THAT ROTATION THEREOF IN ONE DIRECTION WITH RESPECT TO SAID FIRST AND SECOND MEMBER RESULTS IN SAID FIRM RELATION OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS; (I) AND SAID SPRING MEANS FUNCTIONING TO PERMIT SAID FINGER MEANS TO BE MOVED FROM EXTENDED TO RETRACTED POSITIONS IN WHICH FURTHER MOVEMENT OF SAID PIN MEANS IN AND GROOVE IS BLOCKED AND ALLOWED, REPECTIVELY, AND FURTHER ALLOWS SEPARATION OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS AT SUCH TIMES AS SIAD FINGER MEANS IS MOVED TO SAID RETRACTED POSITIONS. 